Kingston and Surbiton MP Ed Davey joined school children, patient representatives and health practitioners as building got underway for a new school and polyclinic.

A ceremony to celebrate the start of the construction phase of the new facility on the old Surbiton Hospital site took place on Friday November 4.

The clinic will be open in the early part of 2013 and will provide health services including diagnostics, community health services and therapies.

There will also be a two-form entry primary school on the site from September next year, which the council say will help address demand for school places in the area.

David Smith, Kingston Council’s director of health and adult services, said: "We look forward to opening a new primary school and health facility to benefit local people for generations to come."